Message From Ed Fallon

If you thought the fight over eminent domain was over, you’re in for a disappointment. The City of Burlington is threatening to use eminent domain to force 400 low-income and minority residents out of 171 units in the Flint Hills Manor neighborhood so the City can turn-over the land to a Minnesota-based company to develop it for a strip mall or shopping center.

The project is not new. Governor Vilsack cited it as one of the reasons he vetoed the eminent domain bill last spring.  (During the legislative session, the bill was actually amended specifically to make this project possible!) However, residents of the Manor were not informed of the City’s intent to force them out of their homes until September 7.  On September 25, the city council voted unanimously to approve the project, and now residents are being told they need to move out by April or face the threat of eminent domain.

Many residents have lived there for a long time and simply don’t want to move. They like the convenience of nearby stores and a bus route. One couple is in their 90’s. Another woman has six children and may well have trouble finding new low-cost housing to meet her needs.  The City claims the neighborhood is “slum and blight,” but it’s in significantly better shape than some parts of my own legislative district.

On Saturday, I organized a meeting in Burlington with over 50 residents to hear their concerns.  I also spoke with a City official, to make sure I had both sides of the story.  My sympathies are entirely with Manor residents, and I have three primary concerns.  First, even though the proposed development has been in the works for over a year, those most affected – the residents – didn’t find out about it until a mere seventeen days before the final decision to authorize the project. This is remarkably unfair and, I believe, undemocratic.

Second, the city council has not made the case for the need for more retail along Highway 61.  I disagree strongly with the city official I spoke with that the new development will “strengthen downtown.”  I have never known of a strip mall or shopping center in the history of the planet that improved retail development downtown.  Furthermore, the City concedes that other development along Highway 61 may simply relocate to the new site, creating new vacancies elsewhere along the corridor.

Finally, the City estimated it would cost $2 – 3 million to improve the Manor neighborhood for its residents, either by fixing existing homes or building new units.  The City also estimates that it will spend about the same amount demolishing homes and preparing the site for its new commercial developer.  It troubles me deeply that it’s ok to subsidize a wealthy developer but not low-income residents.

To conclude, after our meeting on Saturday, I am encouraged to see Manor residents coming together to have their concerns addressed.  Several community leaders were in attendance, including four ministers, one lawyer and two former city council members.  Their collective efforts may yet lead to a more just and fair resolution to this troubling situation.

What can you do to help?  First, GET INFORMED.  Check out my website, Fallonforgovernor.net, where I’ve provided links to three stories about the project to help you get more information.

Second, GET IN TOUCH WITH FRIENDS IN BURLINGTON.   Not all of the 6,000 people receiving this update know someone in Burlington.  But if you do, contact them, ask their opinion, share your concerns and suggest they contact members of the Burlington city council and other community leaders.

Thanks for caring, and here’s my briefer-than-usual events calendar for the upcoming week:

Wednesday, October 11, 7:00 p.m.